Bills of lading can give the holder access to the goods, or the value they represent, so treat them with respect. Issuing bills of lading with incorrect details in order to comply with letters of credit can be considered a fraud and may attract criminal penalties in severe cases. At best it may deprive your company of being able to rely on contractual limitations and its insurance protection. Where Original Bills have been issued you must surrender an original to obtain release of the shipment unless Telex release has been arranged. Alternatively Express Bills may be issued. Please contact us for more specific advice.

It’s good practice to accompany shipments with a commercial invoice and a packing list. This is to aid both your customer and agencies like Customs, as well as freight handling depots and carriers to identify your shipment. Certain countries like Dubai UAE require an original signed invoice to be presented during import customs procedures. Contact Freedom Logistics for guidance in complying with all international trade document requirements. Your Commercial invoice should be on your Company letterhead and clearly state:

Name and address of the buyer

The delivery address if different

A summary description of the goods covered by the invoice. In cases where the invoice shows only part nos. and either shortened or technical descriptions it is a good idea to add a more generic explanation to aid Customs and others to identify exactly what it is that is being shipped.

Total Number & type of packages – for large multiple consignment add marks & nos

Total Gross & Nett Weight & Cube.

Total Number & type of packages – for large multiple consignment add marks & nos

A declaration that the invoice is true and correct and where additionally required by the country of destination you should state the country of origin.

When there are multiple packages in a shipment it is useful to prepare a detailed packing & weight list. Your Packing & weight list should be on your Company letterhead and clearly state:

Name and address of the buyer

The delivery address if different

A summary description of the goods covered. In cases where the invoice shows only part nos. and either shortened or technical descriptions it is a good idea to add a more generic explanation to aid Customs and others to identify exactly what it is that is being shipped

Marks& Nos of packages

For each package list the contents and the gross & nett weight and dimensions of the package

For UK ExportsWhen arranging to fulfill an export order, your customer may request a certificate of origin from you. Certain markets always require a Certificate of Origin though sometimes an invoice declaration will suffice. Types of Certificate of Origin issued in the UK include:

EUR-1 – used where preferential trade agreements exist between the EU and specific third countries e.g. Switzerland, Norway, Mexico See HMRC Public Notice 828 for a full list

ATR-1 – used for EU trade with Turkey

EC Certificate of Origin – used for exports of EC origin goods worldwide

Many Arab States accept EC Certificates of Origin so you should check with your overseas customer which type of Certificate of Origin they require before applying.

Freedom Logistics or your local Chamber of Commerce can advise and arrange for these to be issued together with appropriate certification and legalisation. Find out about electronic certificates of origin on the British Chambers of Commerce website.

For UK ImportsSome imports into the UK are entitled to preferential rates of duty and you may need to present a certificate of origin issued by your supplier e.g. GSP Form A.

See the Business Link guide on using trade preferences. Imports from the EU do not need a Certificate of Origin for Customs purposes.

Principal Transport by Road, Rail or SeaADR or IMO Multimodal Dangerous Goods Note (DGN) & Tremcard required:- Shipper certifies compliance with The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code which governs the carriage of goods by sea. The IMDG Code is published by the IMO (International Maritime Organization) and or UN ADR – The European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR).

The Carnet is essentially a simplified Customs process for temporary exports & imports e.g. if you are sending samples & displays to an overseas exhibition, or taking equipment to a customer site to carry out work and then bring it back. Freedom Logistics can arrange for an ATA Carnet to be issued which then acts as a passport for your goods and carries a bond for any duties & taxes. There are currently 36 countries who are part of the ATA Carnet convention.

ISPM15 Regulation of wood packaging material in international tradeISPM15 is a wood packaging standard adopted by the IPPC – the International Plant Protection Convention – is an international agreement on plant health with 177 current signatories. It aims to protect cultivated and wild plants by preventing the introduction and spread of pests.

The ISPM15 standard describes phytosanitary measures that reduce the risk of introduction and spread of quarantine pests associated with the movement in international trade of wood packaging material made from raw wood. Wood packaging material covered by this standard includes dunnage but excludes wood packaging made from wood processed in such a way that it is free from pests (e.g. plywood).

Shippers must ensure that any such wood packaging material included in a shipment has been subjected to the approved measures and is so identified by the official ISPM mark. They should also issue a signed Declaration with each shipment to certify that the wood packaging used in the individual shipment complies with ISPM 15. For more information please click here.

The fumigation certificate is issued by a specialised treatment plant or firm for agricultural and forestry products, certifying that the goods have been treated with smoke or fumes. The purpose of fumigation is to kill insects or disinfect. For example, wood may be fumigated with methyl bromide.

In some countries, a fumigation certificate may be required to obtain a phytosanitary certificate for the forestry products.

ExportsThere are controls on exports of some goods which may depend as much on their intended use and where you are exporting them as to their inherent nature. Controlled goods will normally require an Export Licence i.e. Military goods & technology, artworks, medicines and chemicals, plants and animals. You may need an export licence even for a temporary export. Freedom Logistics can advise on any licence requirement your goods.

ImportsImport controls apply on certain commodities and this can also depend on where they are originating, the quantity being imported and in some cases EU quotas. Call us now for free advice on your particular goods. Freedom Logistics can take care of all your import licensing requirements, manage the process, complete & submit applications to the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) Import Licensing Branch (ILB), obtain the licence and follow through to ensure the details are tied up to the Import Customs Entry by HM Revenue & Customs, in advance of arrival to avoid costly delays once the shipment has arrived in the UK. In most cases as long as the key data matches, the ILB computer transmits the license information to HMRC and Automatic Licence Verification (ALV) will take place.

Other Documentation

While your export customer should be well versed in compliance requirements with their local rules and regulations you should check whether any special documentation is required to satisfy local regulations. For example, you might need documentary proof that your goods meet local product standards; especially for electrical goods, medicines, chemicals, toys, food & drink. Research overseas markets on the UK Trade & Investment website.

On Wednesday last week, Freedom MD, Chris Houghton, attended the Food is Great C…

(October 17, 2016)

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Registered in England No. 06200934 Registered office: Stockport Business & Innovation Centre,
Broadstone Mill, Stockport, SK5 7DL. BIFA Registered Trading Membership No. 2620. All and any business undertaken by Freedom Logistics UK Ltd including any advice, information or services provided whether gratuitously or otherwise is subject to the current Standard Trading Conditions of the British International Freight Association (BIFA), which limits the liability of the Company. Copies are available upon request or are already in your possession.